Men's Basketball Closes First Semester with 51-41 Victory over Mt. Ida
Newton, Mass. – Sophomore forward Tyrone Figueroa (Revere, Mass.) picked up his second double double of the season with 18 points and 13 rebounds to lead the Framingham State University men's basketball team to a 51-41 non-conference victory over Mount Ida this afternoon.
With the win, the Rams close first semester action 5-6, while the Mustangs drop their fourth straight contest after starting the season 3-1 falling to 3-5 overall on the year.
The Mustangs were only able to shoot 24 percent from the floor for the contest (15-62) and 11 percent from downtown going 2-of-17 from behind the arc. The Rams fared slightly better shooting 34 percent from the floor (18-52) and 30 percent from long range (4-13) on the afternoon.
Mount Ida was led by senior guard Keith Jones (Boston, Mass.) who registered 15 points as the only Mustang in double figures. Jones had a tough day offensively going 1-of-11 from three point land and 4-of-21 from the floor. Senior forward Travis Hillery (Tyngsboro, Mass.) shared game-high rebounds with Figueroa as he grabbed 13 on the afternoon to go along with three steals. Senior Joe Cabral (Walpole, Mass.) added seven rebounds while senior center Jeffrey McNair (Brockton, Mass.) added four blocks and eight caroms.
The visitors saw an outstanding offensive performance from Figueroa notching game-highs in points and rebounds with his 18 and 13. Figueroa connected on 5-of-12 from the floor and 8-of-12 from the line to go along with three assists, a pair of blocks and a steal. Senior guard Marcus McLaurin (Braintree, Mass.) also recorded double figures for the Rams with 10 points and seven rebounds. Freshmen Robert Jones (Cohasset, Mass.) and Andre Santana (Worcester, Mass.) also had solid game with nine points apiece.
After no more than three points separating the teams in the opening minutes, the Rams jumped ahead by six when they went up 16-10 with 10:54 to go in the opening stanza following a good lay-in by sophomore forward Yemi Ajao (Randolph, Mass.).
The Mustangs followed with a small 6-0 run to tie the game at 16-16 two and a half minutes later following a successful jumper by Jones.
Framingham State jumped ahead by four points (20-16) after a good lay-in by Santana at the six minute mark, but Mount Ida regained the advantage with 3:39 remaining before the break following the only three pointer Jones would sink in the game.
Unfortunately for the Mustangs they were unable to drop in a bucket for the rest of the half surrendering an 11-0 run to the Rams to close out the half with the Rams leading 31-23.
The visitors extended their lead in the opening two and a half minutes of the second following a successful lay-in by junior Rico DePaolis (Watertown, Mass.) that put them up 33-24.
Framingham State continued to hold the advantage for the next 11 minutes, until Mount Ida cut their lead down to three (43-40) with 7:43 to go in the contest following a successful lay-in by McNair.
The Rams would go back up by nine points leading 49-40 after two free throws from Figueroa capped a 6-0 run with 4:37 remaining.
The Mustangs were unable to sink a bucket through the final three minutes of play and the Rams cruised to the victory.
The Rams return to action after the new year when they host Emmanuel on Thursday, January 5th at 6 p.m.